Massey University Foundation to spend $12 million on ‘open air classroom’
The walkway imagined. Photo / Massey News
A tree walk, stage, garden, and walkway will transform space by Palmerston North's Turitea stream, the Massey University Foundation announced last month.
However, some students are concerned the pricey project is unnecessary.
The project, Te Waimana o Turitea, will span 4.5 kilometres along the Stream. It’s designed as a living laboratory for students studying Environmental, Plant, and Soil Science.
The foundation is leading fundraising efforts to develop the park. The filtration garden alone will cost $10 million to build, and a further $2 million for maintenance.
The foundation’s development director, Mitch Murdoch, told Massive the foundation is entirely self-funded and isn’t taking any money from the university.
“The Foundation is a separate, self-funded charity that fundraises for things that could help the university, its students and its staff. As such, it does not control, nor is it responsible for university policy, course cuts or management of university property”.
Students were not specifically consulted on the project, as the foundation is not required to perform consultation as a separate charitable trust to the university.
“While students have never specifically asked the Foundation to fundraise for a research and teaching park this is not surprising as it is unlikely that they have imagined it either!”
Murdoch hoped the park would attract future students to Massey Manawatū, “which is important for the long-term wellbeing of the university”.
The park is projected to be finished in 2027, coinciding with Massey’s 100-year anniversary.
Murdoch said the walkway will be wheelchair/disability accessible, with a mainly sealed 4.5km long walkway. However, the treetop walkway maybe the exception to wheelchair access.
The treetop walkway imagined. Photo / Massey News
“It will restore the ecology of the Turitea stream and its surrounds and generally improve the health and ecology of Turitea campus and, we hope, the health and wellbeing of those occupying it.”
Joaquin Laborde, a second-year international student, believed the project was somewhat unnecessary considering the course cuts and other downsizing around the university.
“Library space is sitting empty and unused, housing within the uni just got more expensive this year, and they want to start this project that will be done for some specific students when some courses have been cut and real estate sold.”
“It doesn’t sit right with me,” he said.
Another student who wished not to be identified, expressed similar views: “I legitimately don’t see the need for the stages or the walkway. Looks more for tourists than students”.
A stage imagined. Photo / Massey News
Te Waimana o Turitea is part of the ‘For a Better World’ campaign, which aims to grow Massey’s endowment fund to $100 million by 2027.
The foundation is working alongside local iwi, Rangitāne o Manawatū, to ensure the park's cultural and ecological integrity.
The project was expected to benefit Massey students and the wider Manawatū community by increasing biodiversity, attracting tourists, showcasing Rangitāne stories and art, and contributing to the region’s carbon-neutral goal.